Seven Sisters Love Football: June 2011

MEG score over KSP

Bangalore, June 30 :
Madras Engineering Group (MEG) continued their winning run, scoring a comfortable 2-0 win over Karnataka State Police (KSP) in the Super Division football league at the Bangalore Football stadium here on Thursday.

Nasty blow: KSP goalkeeper Nagendra (right) collides with MEG’s Lokeshwar Singh in the Super Division football league on Thursday. DH Photo

After a barren first half, the Sappers rode on goals from Girish VK (58th) and Nguernilal Hmar (70th) to register their fourth win from as many matches.
KSP, who suffered their first defeat of the season, now have ten points from five matches with three victories and a draw.
Though MEG enjoyed the lion’s share of possession, Sappers failed to convert their dominance into goals in a lively first half. The closest they came to scoring was in the 23rd minute, when Suraj Singh’s right-footer from an acute angle on the right was saved by KSP custodian Nagendra. Nagendra had earlier been involved in a nasty collision with MEG’s Lokeshwar Singh, forcing play to be stopped for a while and an ambulance to be kept in readiness for the custodian to be taken to hospital. However, Nagendra recovered quickly and stayed on the pitch for the rest of the match.
Totally against the run of play, KSP almost went ahead in the 42nd. MEG goalkeeper Sujith fumbled a cross from KSP skipper Pradeep BV, which fell into Kiran Kumar’s path. The latter’s powerful right-footer was blocked on the goalline by MEG captain Suman Kumar before Vineet K cleared the ball out of danger.
To MEG’s credit, they made most of the opportunities in the second half, converting them to pocket three points, while KSP hardly looked threatening. MEG’s first goal came after a neat build-up from the left wing before Ajiraj Philip relayed a cross to Girish, who outjumped two defenders to head home.
Nagendra kept KSP in the hunt, diving full length to his right to thwart a long-ranger from Vineet. But Nagendra was left stranded in the 75th when Hmar put the tie beyond the reach of KSP with a left footer.

Other result: ‘A’ Division: Students Union: 5 (Arun 7th, 77th, 79th; Abubakar 26th, Philips 75th) bt Government Press: 0.

North Korea Blames Lightning Strike for Loss to US

Coach says women feeling effects of June 8 zap

United States' Rachel Buehler is congratulated by teammate Alex Krieger. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
The USA women's soccer team started the World Cup with a 2-0 victory today thanks to goals by Lauren Cheney and Rachel Buehler and, er, a lightning strike on June 8. Or so says the North Korean coach, who claims five of his players were hospitalized earlier this month when lightning struck during a match in Pyongyang, reports the Guardian. All the players are still feeling the effects, he says, and probably shouldn't even be at the tournament.
"It's the first we have heard about it," said surprised USA striker Abby Wambach. The US women next play Saturday, against Colombia. Bleacher Report, meanwhile, celebrates the start of the World Cup with a video celebration of its five favorite solo goals ever. Click here to watch.

Meet the Best Women's Soccer Player in the World

Brazil's Marta is playing in suburban Buffalo

Brazil's Marta in a 2008 file photo. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)

In this June 3, 2011, photo, Western New York Flash's Marta looks back at fans chanting her name during a game in Rochester, N.Y. (AP Photo/David Duprey)
The male stars of soccer are worldwide celebrities, but the top female player is a relative unknown. Marta Vieira da Silva—she goes by Marta—is a 25-year-old Brazilian who plays in the fledgling women's pro league in the US. Her team is the Western New York Flash of suburban Buffalo, which has to ride an hour down the Thruway to Rochester for "home" matches. Marta, though, "might very well be the best female soccer player of all time," writes Wiebke Hollersen in a profile for Der Spiegel.
She has been FIFA's top woman player for an unprecedented five straight years. She has never won a World Cup for Brazil, however, something she will try to change when the women's tournament begins on June 26 in Germany. Marta has been in the US two years now and is rumored to make $500,000 a year, which would make her the highest-paid female soccer player. She proves she's in her own league on the field: "She has unexpected ideas," writes Hollersen after watching a game. "But, unfortunately, the people not expecting them are sometimes her teammates." (Fans can find more World Cup previews here.)

India draw 1-1 with Qatar, but lose 4-2 on aggregate

Pune, June 23 (IANS) India were eliminated from the pre-Olympic football qualifiers as they drew 1-1 with Qatar in their home leg and the Gulf nation proceeded to the third round as they won 4-2 on aggregate here Thursday.

A back pass by Qatari defender Khaled Muftah and an error of judgement by goalkeeper Saad Al Sheeb gave India the much needed lead in the 53rd minute but attacking midfielder Mohamed Salah El Neel dashed all hopes by scoring the equaliser in the 74th minute.

Having lost the away leg 1-3, India had to win the home tie 2-0 and had only themselves to blame for not being able to convert the chances that came their way here at the Balewadi Sports Complex. Midfielder Lalrindika Ralte missed a penalty in the 18th while strikers Jeje Lalpeklua and C.S. Sabeeth were completely off-target.

Jeje, who gave India the surprise lead in Doha, came close to open the scoring as early as in the sixth minute but his powerless shot didn't disturb Al Sheeb. The India striker opened up another scoring opportunity after his shot from the edge of the box kissed the hands of defender Murad Naji and referee didn't hesitate at pointing towards the hot-spot in the 18th minute. Lalrindika stepped up to take the shot but Al Sheeb made an excellent save to deny India the opportunity to take a lead.

Qatari strikers Khaled Muftah and Al Ansari prised open the Indian defence with their sharp, runs but defenders Raju Gaekwad, Abhishek Das and Arnab Mondal stood to their task successfully.

India lacked well-planned moves in the first 30 minutes and depended too much on the dead ball situation. Raju, known as a throw specialist, did well to the get the ball in the box but the strikers couldn't capitalise on his well directed long throw-ins. Jewel Raja also got to swerve the ball well from a free-kick in the 36th minute but not enough to beat the goalkeeper.

The home team dished out a better performance in the second-half and went ahead within eight minutes of start after Muftah made a needless back pass and Al Sheeb failed to get to the ball. Inspired with the surprise lead, Indians launched a wave of attacks and 12 minutes later India almost came close to double their lead, but Jeje couldn't get it past the goalkeeper despite being set-up with an excellent pass by Jewel.

A defensive lapse by the Indians allowed Qatar to equalise in the 74th minute after a completely unmarked El Neel volleyed home a lob from Fadhl Omar.

India coach Desmond Bulpin substituted Saabeeth and Das with strikers Mandeep Singh and Jagtar Singh in the but the winning goal remained elusive.

We are learning fast possession football: Gouramangi

NEW DELHI: India footballers played long-ball game for five years under Bob Houghton but they are learning fast new coach Armando Colaco's possession football, defender Gouramangi Singh said on Wednesday.

"I believe, every coach has his own strategies and style of play. Armando Sir has done great things for Dempo SC winning almost every title. There are lots of variations in the practice and we are really enjoying it," Gouramangi said on the eighth day of national camp for the preparation of the World Cup qualifiers against the UAE.

"The set up is new and we as a player need to co-operate with the coach in the best possible way. There is a healthy competition in the team and the attitude of the players are very positive. Everyone wants to excel in their field and it will only help the team to achieve the future targets," he said.

Armando axed more than a dozen senior players who played in the Asian Cup in January and Gouramangi felt the campers have a mix of youth and experienced players.

"The composition of the team looks very balanced with a mix of youth and experienced players. Everyone is aware of the challenge lying ahead in the form of UAE. We are gelling well together and everyone is giving their best in the training sessions. Also, it will be take some time to understand each other, but we will definitely grow better as a team," said Gouramangi who is among the senior players retained by the new coach.

Asked about the Football Awareness Programmes he conducted recently at Awang Sekmai in his native state of Manipur, Gouramangi said, "The response was beyond my expectations and really moved my heart. The kids were so enthusiastic and eager to learn. I always wanted to contribute something in the development of football in the country and this is just a humble beginning.

"It was a three day camp and we had around 150 kids participating in the Awareness Programme, but the best part was the support from the local people. I would also like to thank Bhai (Bhaichung Bhutia) and FPAI and all the sponsors for providing me the necessary equipments for the camp.

"Although, I was looking to hold a longer camp, but due to the paucity of time and my own commitments, it wasn't possible. I have spoken to few people as well and we are looking to organising more camps with sponsors on board not only in Manipur but also in other parts of the country," he said.

Meanwhile, the campers played a practice match against Western Command which they won 6-2. Striker Sunil Chhetri bagged a hat-trick while Sushil Kumar Singh, Anil Kumar and Rakesh Masih were the other scorers.

For Western Command, captain Aditya Singh and Raju Chhetri scored a goal each.

Kattimani focuses on his next ‘goal’

Tomojit Basu

Pune, June 22 : For young shot-stopper Laxmikant Kattimani, the 1-3 defeat against Qatar in the first-leg of the Olympic qualifier at the Al Sadd Stadium in Doha on Sunday was an eye-opener. "They were really good, especially their captain (Hasan Al Haydos), but though we gave them a fight in the first half, we could not keep up the momentum in the second. It helped me gauge their abilities and the exposure was badly needed."

The 22-year-old custodian made an impressive stop from an Al Haydos 11th minute spot-kick, awarded after a poor challenge on Abdul Aziz Hatem by centre-back Arnab Mondal. "I felt great at that point and thought we had a realistic chance of drawing the game ahead but they outplayed us in the second half.”

Al Haydos's 54th minute strike, which made the scoreline 2-1, left the Dempo keeper bemused. “The ball changed direction and I was left rooted. How that happened I don't know," he said. Kattimani will the pivotal figure on the field come Thursday. "We have to keep possession and play our normal game. I need to keep my concentration," Kattimani said, adding that he had already shed the baggage of the first-leg loss. The under-23 side's goalkeepers' coach and former India captain, Tanumoy Basu, sympathised with the youngster. “His overall performance was good but I feel for him with regard to the second goal. The way the ball travelled would have had most of the experienced keepers beaten,” he said.

Midfield under-par

Basu also felt that India's midfield comprising Lalrindika Ralte, Jewel Raja Shaikh, Shilton D'Silva and Jibon Singh (all from the Indian Arrows), was under-par given that they have played together. “All four are very talented but against Qatar they just didn't do enough. If they can be composed in the second leg, India can very well win the return leg. It's all about the momentum.”

Footballer: Girls only approach us for sex

Evidence ... Sunderland defender Titus Bramble
Back Page Images

Titus: Girls only go back to footballers’ hotels for sex

Ace Bramble tells bruv rape trial

By ROBIN PERRIE

FOOTIE ace Titus Bramble told his brother's rape trial yesterday that when girls go back to a footballer's hotel, it is for sex.

The Sunderland defender, 29, said: "People do make assumptions. I'm no different. I shouldn't, but I do.
"I assume that when a girl's coming back to a hotel after the club it's for sex. Because of my job we get a lot of female attention."

Accused ... Tesfaye Bramble
North News & Pictures ltd
Titus was giving evidence at the trial of brother Tesfaye, 30.
He is accused of raping a teenager after a night out in Newcastle in September last year.
Titus told Leeds Crown Court he and Tesfaye had been out drinking after a Sunderland match before his brother returned to the hotel with the alleged victim.
The woman, then 19, has told the court she fell asleep in one of the rooms booked by the footballer at the city's Vermont Hotel.
She told the jury she later woke to find Tesfaye having sex with her.
Tesfaye, a former footballer, denies rape.
He told the court yesterday the woman had been "partially conscious", adding: "I basically got into the bed and tried my luck.
"If it happened, it happened. If it didn't, it was no problem."
He claimed the woman had kissed him before the encounter developed into sex, adding he was surprised when she suddenly left.
The court has heard that the accused, of Ipswich, told police after his arrest: "They don't just come back to the hotel to go to sleep, they come back for sex."
Trial continues.

Hotel ... alleged scene

Arrowing ahead: Benchwarming to crowding Team India

Nine minutes into his team’s pre-Olympic qualifier against Myanmar at Pune’s Balewadi Stadium, Lalrindika Ralte won a free kick for India. After a couple of stop-starts in his run-up, Ralte chipped the ball deftly over a clueless wall of defenders. The ball fell into the path of Jeje Lalpekhlua, who had begun his darting diagonal run as soon as Ralte made contact, and smashed the ball past a helpless keeper into the roof of the net.

Right through their 2-1 victory, the Indians imposed their accurate passing on their opponents and pressed them relentlessly in defence. Myanmar were up against a team of players with an innate feel for each other’s game – a team consisting largely of players from the Indian Arrows outfit that played together week in and week out against the best clubs in India.

Since then, seven Arrows youngsters were called up to the senior national team for the AFC Challenge Cup qualifiers in Kuala Lumpur, out of whom four – Jeje, Jewel Raja Shaikh, Shilton D’Silva and Raju Gaikwad – made their India debuts. All were 21 or younger, and none of them looked out of place in an unbeaten team that topped their group. Before they joined the Arrows, though, three of them hadn’t played a single I-League game. Jeje had made only two appearances for Pune FC.

Empowering individuals

“A year ago these kids were warming the benches of their I-league clubs, hardly getting a game. With the Indian Arrows, they play every week developing as individuals and as a team,” says Desmond Bulpin, coach of the Indian Arrows and the Indian under-23 team. In the recently concluded season of the I-League, the team — without a foreign player — finished in a respectable ninth position, when all in the football community expected them to get relegated. “We achieved mid-table when no one gave us a chance of survival. With all due respect to Mohun Bagan, who finished four points ahead of us, they’ve been around for a hundred years, we’ve been here for one year. With no foreigners,” said Bulpin.

Bulpin is a vocal admirer of German football, and the rapid ascent of the Arrows crop is certainly reminiscent of young Bayern Munich players like Thomas Mueller and Holger Badstuber going from the reserve leagues to the World Cup semifinals in the space of a single season.

Despite the palpable results that the Arrows experiment has thrown up in its very first season, the club now enters a phase of uncertainty. The coming season might see a break-up of the squad, with some players set to return to their original clubs or join new ones. The question remains: What next for the Arrows?

Bulpin feels that the core must not be disturbed if their development is to be sustained. “I would ideally like this same team to be together for the next four years. This would help prepare a strong squad for the future. If the players do leave, we will have to start from scratch and survival in the I-league will be a tough proposition,” he says.

AIFF director Tathagatha Mukherjee says that the federation is doing all it can do to keep the core unit of Indian Arrows together.

“We want to extend their contracts for at least the next four years. We have spoken to the players and they are very happy with their all-round development at the club. The AIFF will need to have a word with the coach.

‘More Jejes’

“If the players want to leave and join another club they will be welcome to do so. Our main aim with Arrows was to produce star quality players like Jeje. Our motive has been served. We are happy to release him and others like him to their respective clubs. We will engage in creating other Jejes for the future,” says Mukherjee.

The club’s new owners, the Kolkata-based Pailan Group, might be key to retaining players at the club. Pailan, who have agreed a five-year sponsorship deal with the AIFF to take over the funding of the Arrows, should theoretically be able to pay the players wages that match any offers from other established clubs. Were the core group to stay together, the pace of their development will only increase, says Bulpin. “There are seven in the national squad now. Hopefully, we should get that up to 10 or 15 if they stay together till 2015,” he says.

Colm Toal, who works with India’s age-group teams as technical director, says that the establishment of the Arrows team was the most progressive development in Indian football since his arrival in 2007. “In order for Jeje and the others to maintain what momentum they have developed, they must continue playing for the same team the next season,” he says. “If they go back to their club they won’t be guaranteed a start. They need to play week in week out 26 games a season in order to improve.”

The fact remains that the need of the Indian Arrows team arose due to a lack of youth structure in Indian football. According to Bulpin, academies in the I-league clubs, with a few exceptions, do not have a professional youth academy.

“Only Pune FC, Salgaocar and a couple others have academies. The way forward is for every I-League club to run an academy, where the boys start at 12 with good coaches, nutrition and education,” Bulpin says. “If you educate them, not just in football, it makes them better footballers. The first club that gets its youth development right will become the Manchester United of India.”

Croatia's football body fined over pro-Nazi chants

Rome: The Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) has fined Croatia's football body 80,000 euros after fans displayed Nazi symbols during a European championship qualifying match against Georgia.
In the resort city of Split, thousands of Croatian fans chanted fascist slogans, displayed banners, including a Nazi swastika, and glorified the Croatian Ustashes - the World War II fascist movement appointed by the Nazis.
"We are all Ustashes," the crowd chanted, violating UEFA rules which ban using sporting events for political purposes.
Croatia won the June 3 game 2-1 and was a step away from qualifying for next year's European championship to be held in Poland and Ukraine.

Soccer enthusiast Meghalaya lawmaker contributes to stadium makeover

Shillong, June 17 (IANS) Taking potshots at a "poor" Meghalaya government for saying it does not have funds to improve a football ground to host the I-League football matches here, an opposition leader said thousands of fans of Shillong Lajong club would contribute to do that instead.

Meghalaya's opposition leader Conrad K. Sangma, also an ardent supporter of Shillong Lajong, Friday handed over a cheque of Rs.25,000 to sports authorities here to improve the facilities at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium.

Sangma handed over the cheque to Sports and Youth Affairs director Matsiewdor War. The move came after Minister Bindo M. Lanong had said it would be difficult for the government to garner funds to make the stadium fit to hold I-League matches.

"The government is poor and we should help them," Sangma told journalists, even as he appealed to Shillong Lajong fans to contribute Rs.200 each to the government to improve the stadium.

"If 50,000 Shillong Lajong fans contribute Rs.200 each, a corpus of Rs.1 crore can be generated. If the stadium is fit, the fans don't have to spend Rs.1,000 and go to Guwahati to watch a match," he said.

In fact, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has given two-months time for the upgradation of the stadium, especially the turf, failing which it would be declared unfit to hold Lajong FC's home matches in the I-League.

"The ground is unplayable. It lacks all sorts of facilities for live telecast of matches, a doping testing centre, medical room and separate VIP and press box in the stadium," Tokuaki Suzuki, the AFC Competitions Director, had told journalists here.

The AFC team would re-visit Shillong in mid August to inspect the ground condition. "If the authorities fail to improve it Shillong Lajong will have to play their home matches in another city," Suzuki said.

Indian football team captain Baichung Bhutia, who played for his United Sikkim FC in the second division I-league matches at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, had criticised the ground conditions.

However, Lanong made it clear that in two month's time nothing much can be done, especially with the monsoon.

"It is impossible to improve the ground conditions and set up infrastructures in a span of two months. It is difficult to get funds from the State Plan as it will affect other departments," Lanong said.

The sports minister however promised that in a year's time an artificial turf of about Rs.6 crore would be laid at the JN complex provided funds are available.

If the sports authorities fail to improve the ground situation, Shillong Lajong may have to consider their home matches at Guwahati Nehru Stadium.

"If authorities fail to meet the AFC's criteria, then we have to sign for a new venue but we are hopeful that authorities will take up the works as earmarked by the AFC," Larsing Ming Sawyan, the owner of Shillong Lajong, told IANS.

Shillong Lajong, which was relegated in the last edition, has qualified to play in the upcoming I-League.

Cloud over Lajong''s getting home ground facility in I-League

Shillong, June 14 (PTI) The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has asked Meghalaya to improve the ground conditions and other infrastructure at city's Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium here within two months, failing which it may be considered unfit to hold first division I-League matches. Sports department sources said an AFC team, headed by its Competition Director Tokuaki Suzuki, visited the city last weekend and found the J N Sports Complex 'unplayable'. The four-member AFC team was also accompanied by I-League CEO S Dhar. "The ground is not fit for the league...the stadium also needs dressing rooms, medical room, VIP stands and a press room," the team members were quoted as saying to the Meghalaya Football Association representatives. "We will be coming to Shillong to see the ground in the mid of August and by then if the turf doesnot improve Lajong will have to play their home matches somewhere else," the team members said. A sports department official said it would be difficult to meet all the requirements stipulated by the AFC within "such a short time" as there was shortage of funds and the weather was not conducive. Over 20,000 spectators had witnessed the I League matches at the venue last season. A number of visiting players, including Indian football skipper Bhaichung Bhutia earlier expressed reservations about the ground conditions having described it as unfit for quality football.

Manipur men`s football team felicitated

IMPHAL, June 13 : The Manipur men’s football team which ended up runners up in the 65th national football championship for the Santosh trophy held recently in Assam was felicitated today.

A felicitation function for the Manipur team was held today at Khuman Lampak sports complex in which Speaker of the Manipur Legislative Assembly I Hemochandra and state YAS minister DD Thaisii attended as the chief guest and functional president respectively.

Speaking at the function, YAS minister DD Thaisii said he would deposit of a sum of Rs 5 lakhs for preparation of Manipur football team so that the team could do well in the coming Santosh Trophy.

Prior to this year’s final of the Santosh trophy, the state YAS minister had announced that a sum of Rs 5 lakhs would be given to Manipur football team if the team emerged champion. However, Manipur ended up runners up.

Regarding the amount, the YAS minister said he would deposit Rs 5 lakhs to a bank for preparation of Manipur football team for the next year’s Santosh trophy.

The YAS minister donated Rs 10,000 only to the Manipur football team.

Speaking at the receptiion function AMFA president A Santoshkumar said Manipur football will surely develop in the coming years as an artificial turf which will be used as practice ground will be coming up soon at Khuman Lampak. He also expressed hope that Manipur do well in the coming national championships.

Liverpool director Comolli says club to buy more

Jordan Henderson of England enters the stadium to take part in a training session for the English U21 national soccer team recently. Liverpool have completed the transfer of Henderson into the club - AFP
Liverpool's director of football Damien Comolli vowed on Saturday that the club's purchase of English midfielder Jordan Henderson was just the beginning of their summer transfer activity.
The Reds completed the signing of the 20-year-old midfielder from Sunderland on Thursday for a reported fee of Â£20 million ($32.75m).
Henderson, capped once by England, became Liverpool's third major signing since Kenny Dalglish returned as coach, after strikers Andy Carroll and Luis Suarez arrived in the January transfer window.
"We wanted to make a signing early," Comolli told the Daily Mirror.
"The earlier the better because we can then re-adjust our strategy or decide we aren't going to do any more - which won't be the case now!"
"I'm very pleased, because Jordan was one of the big targets we had. When you get your first target it's always a good sign because you think the others will come through as well."
Liverpool have also been linked with moves for Ipswich's 18-year-old striker Connor Wickham and Blackpool's Scottish midfielder Charlie Adam, and Comolli says the club will prioritise home-grown players in their recruitment.
"If a player is English, or British or has played in the Premier League, we'll look at that over someone abroad," said Comolli.
"We go for a player because he ticks all the boxes. It's what we need at this time in this window, and we have seen that with Henderson."

Five Mexican footballers test positive for banned drug

The players claim that they consumed chicken that was contaminated with the banned anabolic agent clenbuterol. Cyclist Albert Contador had tested positive for the same performance-enhancing drug at the 2010 Tour de France.
Five Mexican footballers test positive for banned drug

Five Mexico players have tested positive to a banned substance and have been dropped from the squad contesting the Gold Cup, the Mexican football federation said on Thursday.
Decio De Maria, general secretary of the Mexican federation, said he believed the players tested positive by ingesting contaminated food.
The players named by the Mexican federation are goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa, defenders Edgar Duenas and Francisco Rodriguez, and midfielders Christian Bermudez and Antonio Naelson.
"What is presumed ... one had to ingest contaminated materials - meat or chicken. Now comes the tough part, taking the players off the squad and opening an investigation.Meanwhile, it is a disagreeable moment to take this kind of decision, but we have to take responsibility", De Maria said.
The Mexican federation said the five tested positive in pre-Gold Cup doping tests conducted May 21. Officials said the substance detected was the banned anabolic agent clenbuterol.
"Everything points to it being an accident, very unfortunate," De Maria said.
De Maria made reference to Tour de France champion Alberto Contador of Spain, who tested positive last July for clenbuterol and said he consumed the drug in contaminated beef. Mexico was to face Cuba on Thursday in the Gold Cup, the championship of North and Central America and the Caribbean.
Source: AP